Pet-medicine-capsule wrapper apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions for obscuring medicines formed as tablets, capsules, pills, and so forth may be presented in clean packaging, with built-in work space on a substrate, film layer. A flexible paste, gum, putty, or malleable and formable treat material may be folded without touching the actual treat composition on its outermost surface. A medicament set onto a location on a surface of the composition may then be folded inside by folding, molding, or otherwise manipulating the composition, thus forming a sealed morsel, leaving no residue (e.g., powder, scent, taste, etc.) of the medicament on the outer surface of the composition when administered to a pet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application: is a divisional (continuation) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/230,888, filed Aug. 8, 2016 and due to issue May28, 2019 as U.S. patent Ser. No. 10,299,496; which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/204,621, filed Aug. 13,2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This invention relates to treats for pets and, more particularly, tonovel systems and methods for treats designed to hide or otherwisecontain tablets, pills, capsules, and the like administered as medicineor other supplements to pets.

Background

The medicine of pets and other livestock takes on many of the aspects ofmedicine administered to human beings. However, several majordistinctions are problematic. For example, individual people have awill. Personal will may often override preference or desires and accept,receive, or otherwise take the administration of medicines as directedby a physician, knowing the importance thereof. Animals are not soinclined, if they do not like the taste or smell of an object, thing, orsubstance. They will typically not take it into their mouths, or willdischarge it immediately upon sensing the taste, texture, or naturethereof.

Medicine for humans tends to be quite expensive, and supported by theimportance of it to human beings. The medical treatment of livestockmust necessarily be less expensive. In the case of agriculturallivestock, the costs must be appropriate to the value of the animal. Allcosts of care are closely controlled.

Medicine administered to pets and other livestock suffers from certainproblems not common with human patients. For example, human patientsoften warrant the extra expense of highly developed medicines. Moreover,if human life and health are at stake, typically no reasonable expenseis spared. On the other hand, livestock may be commercial animals, inwhich medical treatment and medicines substances must be cost effectivein view of the economic value of the animal treated.

Of course, it may go without saying that some people treat their petsalmost as members of the family. Therefore, the line between the costfor treating people, that for pets and the cost for treatingagricultural animals may be somewhat blurred economically. Nevertheless,and notwithstanding the attempts by marketers to encourage pet owners totreat the pets as human members of the family, medicines for pets do nottypically warrant the same cost.

However, a more serious difference is the effect of will and reason onthe behaviors of the “patients.” A human patient, at least an adult, canreason and understand the importance of taking medicine. Accordingly,taste is not as important to an adult as it may be to a child or ananimal. On the other hand, animals will simply refuse to accept orreceive administered medicines that have an unacceptable flavor, smell,texture, or the like. Thus, animals must either be persuaded in the caseof capsules disguised or flavored to alter their appearance or taste.Likewise, it is not uncommon for pet owners to hide a capsule, tablet,or other medicine in a chunk of meat, a glob of peanut butter, or tootherwise mask its smell and taste. This results in messy preparationand regular cleanup duties, of smelly substances that still cling tohands and work spaces.

Certain products exist, but typically are somewhat expensive, do nothave clean packaging, soil hands of a pet owner, do not seal up andcompletely obscure taste, visibility, or smell, or some combinationthereof, and so forth. Meanwhile, typical compositions that arecalculated to hide medicines leave residues on counters, on hands,clothing, and so forth. Thus, keeping clothing clean, washing handsrepeatedly, cleaning up countertops, and so forth all take time,attention, and may accidentally be missed until it is too late and theresidues have been spread.

Thus, it would be an advance in the art to provide something that issimpler, less messy, more secure, and more certain to fully hidevisually and obscure both taste and smell. It would be an advance in theart to provide a system and method for making, using, and administeringa cover or wrap that obscures the taste, visual image, and smellconsistently for typical medicines formed as tablets, capsules, or thelike.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodiedand broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed inone embodiment of the present invention as including a treatment packthat may actually correspond to a treatment regimen. This numbercorresponds to the typical treatment patterns or regimens that last foreither one week with treatments administered twice a day or ten dayswith treatments administered twice daily.

For example, a treatment pack may include a course of two treat servingsper day over a course of treatment lasting seven days or ten days. Thus,if two pills, tablets, capsules, or the like are to be administered perday in a standard antibiotic, the regimen will typically include oneadministration in the morning and one in the evening, typically twelvehours apart.

In certain currently contemplated embodiments, a substrate or cardprovides a working surface that is comparatively stiff and will maintainthe shape of the treat wrap. It will indicate the number of treat wrapson a card, and thus remind how many have been used and how many remainin a particular course or regimen of administration. Thus, a pet owneror consumer purchasing a product in accordance with the invention canimmediately determine whether they have forgotten a previousadministration of a pill or tablet, and so forth.

Typically, the cards may be formed as a work surface being comparativelystiff, such as the cardboard or paper board backing on the back of awriting pad. Meanwhile, another film layer typically of a polymeric filmsuch as polyethylene is secured in place along at least a line near thecenter of the length thereof. Thus, the film will not twist or turn withthe respect to the underlying substrate or card, but yet can be liftedup and folded over in order to manipulate a particular wrap of the treatmaterial without a pet owner actually touching that wrap.

In certain embodiments, a package may include a box, and may include aninternal, re-sealable plastic bag with a zipper type of closure or thelike. A consumer or pet owner may open the box, and find inside severalcourses of treatment. For example, a card of ten or fourteen or twocards of ten or a single card of twenty may be configured.

A course of treatment depends on the particular medicament beingprescribed by a veterinarian. Typically, a course of treatment may lastfive days, one week, or ten days. Typically, administration will beeither once per day or twice per day. Other regimens may also bespecified. Typically, a card in accordance with the invention mayprovide for optional ten-, fourteen-, or twenty-dose courses oftreatment on a single card with its associated film.

In use, a pet owner may remove one set or one product course oftreatment from a box, open the re-sealable bag in which it is found,draw out the card with its film and treat wrap content, and set the cardon a countertop or table. The user may then set the medicament, whethera tablet, pill, capsule, liquid drop, powder, or the like on a marker onthe wrap. The pet owner then may fold the film in order to fold half thewrap over the other half thereof.

Typically, the wraps are formed in a square shape, but arranged on acard so that they operate as diamonds. A lateral axis is the foldingaxis, and a longitudinal axis is orthogonal thereto. Thus, onelongitudinal corner folds over to an opposite corner. The film thenpermits pressuring the sandwiched layers of the wrap together, thusforming them together in a seal.

Typically, a pet dog will simply swallow a treat whole. Cats may alsoswallow treats whole, but may more often chew or tear them. If the tasteand smell of the treat are appropriate, they will typically be gulpeddown.

Some of the benefits provided include keeping a work surface such as acountertop clean. The film on which the wraps are disposed is flexibleenough to fold over the wrap and manipulate it into shape, includingpressuring the edges to seal them together. Because the film is liftedfrom below and folded over the wraps, hands never actually touch theedible wrap material.

The wrap material may be a paste, a formable taffy a modeling-clay-likesolid, or the like. Typically, a tacky, moldable solid will be suitable.It will typically have an oil content suitable for absorbing andcontaining a flavoring.

Typical materials may be thixotropic materials or Bingham plastics. Athixotropic material is understood in engineering to be a material thatwill typically support itself or its own weight in modest thicknessesand other dimensions, but will move when exposed to a certain amount ofsheer force. Fluids flow under all forces, regardless of how small.Thixotropic materials are dimensionally stable until a threshold amountof force is applied. Similarly, a Bingham plastic operates substantiallyas a solid until a certain threshold sheer force is applied, after whichtime it becomes fluid and moves in response to the force.

Typical thixotropic materials are toothpaste, peanut butter, and similarsubstances. Meanwhile, various moldable putty-like materials may also beused. Some compositions of foodstuffs contain solids and tacky fluidsthat combine to make such materials formable. Various formulae exist.Herein, any one of those formulae may be suitable. Peanut butter,particularly when a certain portion of the oil is removed, may becomequite solid in behavior, while still remaining tacky, moldable, and soforth. Meanwhile, other compositions exist using some amount of fiber,solid, and interstitial binding such as an oil, an emulsion, a grease,or some other long-chain polymeric foodstuff.

In certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with theinvention, a wrap composition may be set out in dose sized, individualwraps on a single sheet. These may be arranged on a grid, or may beoffset into an “Argyle” pattern. Meanwhile, the daily doses are alignedalong a line. The count is fixed for each card, and a user canimmediately tell how many doses have been used and how many remain.

Fingers, fingertips, nails, and the like remain free because thecomposition is never touched before feeding or administering. Themedicament is placed inside, near the center of each diamond, and issealed around the outer periphery once the diamond is folded over into atriangle. Of course, corners may be rounded. Thus, the wraps do notsmell like a human, nor do they have a scent or taste of a medicament ontheir outer surface.

It is contemplated that at least two sizes may be created, one suitablefor small dogs and for cats, another for larger dogs. Similar materialsfor other animals, such as porcine, bovine and equine animals are withincontemplation. Due to the nature of the composition being typicallythixotropic or otherwise a moldable solid, the wraps hold their shape,contain their flavor, and obscure the flavors and scents of themedicaments inside. No untoward residue is ever on the outside thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a composition and systemin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment for a compositionand system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of yet another configuration of a product inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the composition and system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a different embodiment of a product inaccordance with the invention, having individual tabs for lifting theunderlying films under the compositions in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of a portion view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view, one embodiment of a product, system, andcomposition of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a left end elevation view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a right end elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective, exploded view thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective, assembled view of a portion thereof, inoperation, illustrating the folding over of the film to enclose amedicament, pill, capsule, tablet, or the like therewithin;

FIG. 14 is an exploded, perspective view of one alternative embodimentfor packaging a product and composition in accordance with theinvention, this illustrating the card and film configuration of FIG. 2,but equally applicable to the other alternative embodiments illustratedherein;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a process for using a medicine wrapperin accordance with the invention, and illustrating various embodimentsof such a wrapper;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a process for making and using amedicine wrapper in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of applying or administering a“treat-wrapper” wrapped medicine dose in accordance with the invention;and

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of various embodiments of wrappinga medicine dose in packaging in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of variousembodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of theinvention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, whereinlike parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, and FIGS. 1 through 18 generally, a product 10 orsystem 10 in accordance with the invention may typically include a base12 operating as a substrate 12 or card 12. Typically, the base 12 hassufficient thickness and stiffness that it will maintain its dimensionalstability in use. The base 12 provides a work surface or bench whereon auser (pet owner) may work to create treats hiding medicaments, typicallyin the form of pills, capsules, tablets, or the like.

Notwithstanding the particular applicability to such forms, the product10 in accordance with the invention is equally adaptable to certainliquids, powders, and so forth. Moreover, depending on the particularsize of the medicament administered and the size of the particularproduct 10, the administration of multiple doses or multiple differentsuch objects may be hidden within a single unit.

In the illustrated embodiment, a layer 14 or film 14 is typicallysufficiently flexible to be foldable. Nevertheless, it is also thesupporting film 14 maintaining a stability of the shape of an “edible”16 or a material 16. This edible 16 or wrap 16 is a formable layer 16,formed as a discrete object 16, square with rounded corners in theillustrated embodiment. However, notwithstanding its comparativelysquarish shape, rounded corners provide for economy, handling, and easeof removal from the film 14. It may include other manufacturing and usebenefits.

The layers 16 may each be provided with an accent 18 or accent region 18containing a flavor burst 18 or flavor pocket 18. The accent 18 may beplaced on the layer 16 of the edible 16. On the other hand, in someembodiments, the accent 18 may pass or extend completely through as aheavily dosed or flavored portion of the layer 16.

One benefit of providing the accent 18 extending through to the outersurface, or what will become the outer surface (against the film 14 inthe product 10, before use), is that the scent and flavor of the accent18 become stronger and more apparent to the consuming pet. On the otherhand, the accent region 18 may simply be marked on the top or uppersurface of the layer 16, with the actual flavoring being on the oppositesurface thereof but still in the accent region 18.

One reason for the various options for placement of the accent regionand the actual flavoring that becomes the flavor burst 18 or accent 18is that on the upper surface illustrated, the accent region 18 serves asa marker. It may have a color different from that of the underlyinglayer 16. A user can see exactly where to place the medicament (e.g.,tablet, capsule, pill, etc.) The medicaments should not cross the foldline 48 a or lateral axis 48 a of a particular layer 16, which isactually a single piece 16. That is, by placing a medicament right inthe center of the square or diamond shape of a layer 16, the foldingprocess does not operate as designed. The diamond shape or the diamondconfiguration of the square shape provides a simple folding of thediamond into a simple triangle. All the sides match up in the foldingand the sealing together required to enclose the medicament. In theillustrated embodiment, the four edges of the diamond are all the samelength. When folding across a diagonal, the layer 16 forms a trianglethat quickly and easily seals along all edges thereof.

Together, the edible 16 or edible layer 16 that becomes formable,together with the flavor burst 18 or accent region 18 placed thereon onone surface or the opposite surface, form a wrapper 20. The wrapper 20operates as a treat 20 containing a medicament placed on the accentregion 18 inside the wrapper 20.

In order to operate properly, the product 10 may be formed such that thefilm 14 has a cut line 22 or a median 22 separating two halves of theavailable course of treatment provided by the product 10. In this way, asingle set of the wrappers 20 may be folded, one at a time.

Meanwhile, a center line 24 extending across the width 26 of the card 12or base 12 may include means of securement. For example, approximatelyhalf way along the length 28 of the base 12, an attachment mechanism 30or an adhesive layer 30 may interpose between the film 14 and the base12. Typically, sewing, heat bonding, mechanical fastening, gluing, orthe like may be used to secure the film 14 to the base 12.

Typically, it is preferred that the width limit 32 or width 32 of anyadhesive 30 or other attachment mechanism 30 should extend from aboutthe center or diagonal, of a wrapper 20 along the center line 24. Theattachment mechanism 30 or adhesive 30 should not extend beyond theoutermost point of that particular wrapper 20 beyond the width limit 32.

One reason for this is that if the entire width limit 32 were filledwith adhesive between the film 14 and the base 12, there would still beno problem in folding from either direction. Meanwhile, the adheredportion of the film 14 would always contain only that half of a wrapper20 or the formable layer 16 of a wrapper 20 that remains rigid on thefilm 14 over the base 12 during folding. Thus, operation of the product10 would still be satisfactory.

The dimensions of the wrappers 20 may be adapted to the particularpatient or animal that will receive the medicament in a wrapper 20 or atreat 20. Typically, in one embodiment, a width 34 of from about one toabout two inches has been found suitable. In certain embodiments, aboutone and one third inches has been found suitable for a large variety ofanimals and medicaments. Accordingly, the diagonal will be equal to thelength 34 or width 34 of one side multiplied by the square root of twoaccording to the rules of geometry.

Similarly, the diameter 35 or maximum dimension 35 of a flavor burst 18or accent region 18 may be suitable to leave a region near the outeredges that will be available for sealing without interference from theaccent region 18. For example, the accent region 18 may not have thesame moldable features, or may not adhere as readily to the formablelayer 16. It may be formed of the same material with an accented flavor,or may be formed of a different material. Regardless, the diameter 35 ofthe accent region 18 leaves a suitable margin for sealing edges of theformable layer 16 together.

Another feature or significant utility to the diameter 25 is to identifythe placement of a medicament. By providing a target region 18, theaccent region assists in positioning a medicament to be folded up withinthe finished wrapper 20. Similarly, the accent region 18 may typicallyhave a substantially different, typically contrasting, color withrespect to the formable layer 16 or the principal edible 16. In thisway, color coding may identify not only the target accent region 18, butalso identify what flavor the accent region 18 contains.

In general, the width 36 or the overhang 36 of the film 14 is simply forconvenience. That is, since a user, the pet owner, will need to lift thefilm 14 away from the base 12, and fold each wrapper 20 or each formablelayer 16 into a wrapper 20 in sequence, it is important to be able toquickly grasp that film 14 or film layer 14, and manipulate it. Thus, anoverhang 36 may be provided for that purpose.

Meanwhile, for convenience, the card 12 or base 12 may extend in thedirection orthogonal to the extension 36 of the film 14. This provides abase slightly broader than the maximum dimension of the various array ofwrappers 20 on the film 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 18, in certain embodiments of a product 10 or system 10 inaccordance with the invention, the width 26 and length 28 may be sizedto accommodate a row of formable layers 16 or edibles 16 in a line orstaggered. The staggered pattern is referred to here as the “Argyle”pattern because of the squares closely arranged in an adjacent diamondtype of configuration.

In the illustrated embodiment, the film 14 is provided with a cut 38 orgap 38 between adjacent portions thereof. Accordingly, the film 14 maybe folded laterally from one side of the base 12 toward the accentregions 18, all of which lie close together near the center of thelongitudinal center of the base 12.

Again, the base 12 is offset from the edge 39 of the film 14. In thisparticular embodiment, each individual segment 37 of film 14 effectivelyoperates independently of all the others. Accordingly, a pet owner mayplace a medicament on the target region 18 or accent region 18. Themedicament may be pressed into the malleable or formable layers 16.

Thereafter, the film segment 37 may be folded over, bending the formablelayer 16 along a central diagonal to close into a tart-shaped triangle.Pressing down on the film 14 molds the upper edge and lower edgetogether, thus enclosing the wrapper 20 around the medicament.

Some of the benefits of this configuration include its simplicity.Nevertheless, it does use more square area and more film 14 in the base12. Nevertheless, it may be provided with any number of individualformable layers 16 or wrappers 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, while continue to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 18, an alternative embodiment of a product 10 in accordance withthe invention may include an array of wrappers 20, each of which issupported on a segment 37 of film 14, but only partially supported bythe underlying base 12. Thus, in this embodiment, the base 12 underliesthe portion of each of the formable layers 16 or wrappers 20 that willserve as the bottom, receiving its opposite half pressed thereagainst.

Meanwhile, the film 14 underlies the complete formable layer 16, orwrapper 20. Film 14 and wrapper 20 may be lifted up and folded over thetop of the portion thereof on the base 12. Thus, the smaller base 12 andstrips 37 or segments 37 of film 14 may be fabricated and assembled. Inthis embodiment. A perforated line 42 or tear line 42 may provide aweakened location to tear off one or more pairs of wrappers 20.

For example, if a regimen calls for ten doses or two doses per day overfive days, then a one-week-size base 12 may be cut off and the remainingwrappers 20 may be stored without the large empty base 12 with itsoverlying film segments 37. Similarly, the lengths may be arranged to adefault size, or a totally optional selection between five days, sevendays, ten days, and so forth.

In the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal axis 48 b and thelateral axis 48 a through any particular wrapper 20 may be marked orunmarked. One advantage of marking the axis 48 is to demonstrate a foldline 48 b. On the other hand, the accent region 18 may serve thatfunction along with a brief instruction on a package.

It will be noted in the detail region 46 or the inset 46 that thesegment 37 of film 14 extending away from the base 12 provides adequatelength and width for gripping leading to easy manipulation of thewrapper 20 for folding. Meanwhile, plenty of clearance provides not onlya grip without touching the “typically oily” formable layer 16, but alsoaccommodating any deformation that may result from pressing one halfthereof onto the other half thereof near the edges.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS.1 through 18, an alternative embodiment provides less of the filmmaterial 14, but sufficient to cover each of the wrappers 20 or formablelayers 16 during folding. In this embodiment, the tab 44 serves as agrip location, providing for lifting of each segment 37 of film 14upward suitably for folding the formable layer 16 over on itself.

One will note that any of the details of shape of the tab 44 may beselected to be arbitrary or to be intentionally shaped forfunctionality. For example, a rectangular shape as illustrated may bereplaced by a more smoothly curved shape that is easier to manufacture,having no sharp outer corners or sharp inner corners.

In fact, the tabs 44 need not even be centered with respect to thewrapper 20 being folded. Instead, since the tab 44 is simply aconvenience for taking hold of the film 14, and particularly aparticular segment 37, if it is eccentric or non-symmetrical, thisshould present no problem. So long as the film 14 still completelysupports the formable layer 16, wrappers 20 may be folded easily.

One advantage of having a curved edge, such as an S curve cut in thefilm 14, or a series of cuts that repeat with every particular segment37 is economy. The film 14 may be cut continually with no waste.

In general then, many of the features and benefits found in theembodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 are also replicated in FIG. 6. Nevertheless,the shapes of tabs 44 may be made more functional, more economical, orinformative. For example, the cut around the periphery of each tab 44may be the shape of a trademark logo or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 13, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 18, an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown inadditional detail. In this “Argyle” layout or pattern, the typicalviews, including all of the orthogonal views plus a perspective viewillustrate the layup or appearance of one embodiment of a product 10containing an array of wrappers 20. For example, the formable layer 16of each individual wrapper 20 may be deposited on the film 14 by anysuitable manner.

Typically, a press, a cutter, or the like may roll and form each of theindividual wrappers 20. These may be deposited, during or afterformation as the layer 16 of edible 16 on the film 14. Typically, onemight expect the base 12 to underlie the film 14 during fabrication orassembly of the product 10.

However, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6, it may be advisable notto do so, due to alignment and adhesion that may be harmed by having adisparate distance between the portion of the film segment 37 overlyingthe base 12, and that not overlying the base 12. Of course,manufacturing machinery may be designed to provide relief to receive thebase 12, and so forth. Nevertheless, one advantage of having a region orreceiving the formable layer 16 on top of the film 14 on top of the base12 is advisable for ease of manufacturing.

In certain embodiments, the accent region 18 may simply be a portion ofthe formable layer 16. In other embodiments, as illustrated, the flavorburst 18 or accent region 18 may be a region of a separate material, ora separately flavored material distinct from the formable layer 16 andplaced thereon.

The accent region 18 may be deposited on the formable layer 16, or maybe pressed into it, becoming one with it, and displacing a certainamount thereof. This may be done by a machine dropping a droplet ordosage of the flavor burst 18 onto the formable layer 16, followed by apresser foot flattening all together. In another embodiment, a presserfoot may come down on the formable layer 16. It may effectively injectand contain the flavor burst 18 into the formable layer 16.

Typically, if the formable layer 16 is formed cold, or at approximatelyroom temperature. Then adhesion may be adequate and distortion or flowtolerably small. In other embodiments, the formable layer 16 mayactually be formed hot on the film 14, and later cooled. Thus, accordingto the formulation of the flavor burst 18 and the formable layer 16, anadhesion therebetween, and adhesion between the formable layer 16 andthe film 14 may be engineered to be acceptable for manufacture,packaging, and shipping. It should also being suitable for separatingthe wrapper 20 from the film 14 for serving to a pet.

Referring to FIG. 12, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 18, one will note that this exploded view shows variouscomponents of the product 10 separated from one another. A mechanicalfastener, such as stitching, bonding, an adhesive layer 30, or the likemay secure the film 14 permanently to the base 12. One valuable functionof that adhesive layer 30 is to maintain registration between the film14 and the base 12.

Stability is important during manipulation of the wrappers 20 by a user(pet owner). In this embodiment, one can see that the folding of thefilm 14 will be longitudinally, or along the longitudinal axis, andfolded along a line diagonally through each wrapper 20, and parallel tothe center line 24. As described hereinabove, the center line maysuitably pass diagonally through selected ones of the wrapper 20.

The bonding or fixing of the film 14 to the base 12 occupies only thatportion of the film to the left, in the illustrated embodiment, of thecenter line 24. Under that specific selection of wrappers 20, it willnot interfere with the folding of the film 14 over that particularwrapper 20.

Referring to FIG. 13, one may see how, for example, over the first orend wrapper 20, a medicament 50 may be placed on the accent region 18.The fold line 52 passes diagonally through the center of the particularformable layer 16 or wrapper 20. Thus, one can see how the square ordiamond shape that is the wrapper 20 is formed into a more-or-lesstriangular shape sandwiching the medicament 50 between the halves of thewrapper 20.

In selected embodiments, the film 14 may be selected from severalsuitable candidates. For example, polyethylene adheres suitably well toinherently adhesive materials. Labeling of polyethylene bottles uses anadhesive bond to form a mechanical attraction. In contrast, polyethyleneis impervious to most chemicals, and does not, therefore, form chemicalbonds with most other materials.

Polyethylene, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) is available forbags and other packaging for retail products. It is comparatively soft,flexible, and may be fabricated in a variety of thicknesses. In certainembodiments, the thickness may be less than about six thousandths of aninch, or about six mils. A thickness on the order of about three mils isa good target number. On the other hand, more stiffness and thereforemore rigidity within the plane of attachment to the base 12 may benefitthe system 10 or product 10 in certain cases.

For example, a one mil or two mil thickness of the film 14 would be sovery flexible as to tear easily, and tear away from any adhesive layer30 or from stitching to the base 12 or the like. Such a film 14 would bevery flexible and easily folded. However, it would not present nearlythe stability contemplated for the film 14. A thickness of about tenmils would provide a rather robust film 14, foldable, yet returning to aflat configuration on the base 12 when released.

In yet another alternative material, polyethylene terephthalate is soldunder the trademark of MYLAR®. This particular plastic tends to be quiterigid in the plane of the plastic, but yet quite flexible orthogonal tothe plane. Thus, it is suitable for bending and folding along a foldline 52, yet is comparatively stiff and coplanar with the base 12.Again, thicknesses may be selected from about one mil to about ten mils.A range of about three mils to about five mils is a suitable targetthickness.

Other plastics, including polypropylene may also be used. Even expandedpolyethylene (ELDPE) as a foam layer of film 14 may be suitable.Similarly, other expanded polymers may also serve. However, expandedpolystyrene, sometimes sold under the trademark of STYROFOAM™ istypically not flexible enough to tolerate the bending required inaccordance with the invention.

In other embodiments, the film 14 may actually be paper, such as treatedpaper, plastic-coated paper, polyethylene-laminated paper, waxed paper,parchment, or the like. In certain embodiments, the film 14 may actuallybe an edible or dissolvable material, such as a gelatin sheet, or thelike. In some of the embodiments, the film 14 may be torn off after use.Nevertheless, in the illustrated embodiments, there is no necessity todispose of the film 14 or the base 12 until all of the individual wraps20 have been used.

Referring to FIG. 14, each of the illustrated embodiments hereinabovemay be packaged in a pouch 56 or cover 56. In some embodiments, a layerof foil may be adhered to the base 12 to be peeled away therefrom. Thiswould provide for covering each of the individual pieces 16 or formablelayers 16 prior to use. In other embodiments, an additional layer offilm, such as low density polyethylene may be spread over the wrappers20 and peeled back for use. In other embodiments, the cover 56 maysimply be a zipper-type, re-sealable bag such as is ubiquitous in thepackaging industry.

Such bags 56 may be formed in a continuous process, be cut and sealedinto individual widths, and based on a particular thickness and lengthof material having the zipper seal already bonded before the bags 56 arecut. By whatever mode, a covering 56 or bag 56 may form with itscontents a packet 54 containing a base 12, a film 14 fixed thereto atleast along a central portion, such as near a center line 24, andpresenting an array of the wrappers 20 thereon.

Each individual cover 56 or bag 56 may be left sealed until use. A groupof packets 54 may be assembled in a carton 58 or box 58 sized to aconvenient number of wrappers 20 for use. For example, one card 12 orbase 12 may contain a regimen for a single ten day course or a singleone week course of treatment. Alternatively, one card 12 or base 12 maycontain an array of wrappers 20 sized for half of a single course.

Again, the bag 56 or other cover 56 may be sized according to theparticular layout desired. This may be a grid, on parallel lines, or inan offset “Argyle” pattern of diamond shapes as illustrated hereinabove.The carton 58 may be sealed against tampering or available for openingfor inspection. In the latter event, the bags 56 may includetamper-proof sealing such as bonding foil to the card 12, or othersubstrate 12, providing a sealed portion of each bag 56, or the likebefore it will permit access to its zipper feature.

A treatment pack packaging various wrappers 20 may be sized and countedin packets conforming to the number of doses of a medicament to beadministered during a length of treatment. For example, certainantibiotics are administered morning and night over a period of aboutten days. Thus, two pills, capsules, tablets, or the like areadministered per day over a period of ten days. Thus, one embodiment ofa product 10 may include a substrate 12 containing a film 14 on whichare disposed wrappers 20.

In the “Argyle” configuration discussed above, these may be compactlyoriented in multiple rows, each impinging on the interstices of anadjacent row in order to form the courses of a treatment regimen. Thus,a user (pet owner), may visually determine how many wrappers 20 andtherefore how many doses of the medicament have been used during onecourse of treatment, and how many remain. The purchasing consumer maythereby see if a dose has been forgotten.

A one week regimen or a ten day regimen is typical. Other regimenlengths, or number of doses, as represented by corresponding numbers ofwrappers 20 may be provided. Meanwhile, because of the need for foldingwithout touching the work surface, counter, table, or the like asubstrate 12 is stiff. It is sufficiently stiff to conduct the foldingoperation of the film 14 around the formable layers 16 to form thewrappers 20.

One may create thereon with the film a wrap 20 in the closed or sealedconfiguration while the underlying work surface remains clean.Meanwhile, the remainder of material forming the formable layer 16,whether a paste, thixotropic material, solid, flexible layer, or thelike may remain in place on the film 14 until used.

Also, the substrate 12 provides something to draw out of a package andotherwise manipulate, move, transport, or handle the array of wrappers20 corresponding to any course of treatment. All of the materials andidentified hereinabove are recyclable, some may be edible, and most maybe biodegradable.

Of course, advertising, messaging, instructions, and the like may bepreprinted on the film 14, the base 12, or both. In some embodiments, anadditional layer of film may overlie the formable layer 16 of discretewrappers 20. This may contain instructions, warnings, labeling,advertising, or the like.

A flexible film 14 is secured to remain with the substrate 12. It shouldfold away from it or lift up from it and fold over a wrapper 20 to seala medicament therewithin. The alignment and count for the daily dosescorresponding to the wrappers 20 are easily viewable by theadministering pet owner. Meanwhile, fingers, fingertips, nails, and thelike remain free of the material forming the formable layers 16. Thus,even if the principal material of each wrapper 20 is a paste, there isno forming of the paste, no manipulating of it other than the folding ofa discrete wrapper 20 thereof separated from the user by the layer offilm 14.

The flavor burst 18 or accent region 18 is useful as a visualidentification of the flavoring contained therein. Likewise, it providesa designation of the location on which to place the medicament beingadministered. The patient (animal, pet) receives from the flavor burst18 a burst of scent, flavor, or both. This may be accentuated by puttingthe flavor burst 18 as an accent region 18 reaching completely throughor into the outside surface of a formable layer 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flavor burst region 18 or accentregion 18 is shown as a circle. However, this may also be configured inother suitable shapes. Also, it may have appendages beyond its majorextent, even extending to the edges of the wrapper 20. It may designateby its major area the location where medicaments should be applied, andyet carry by the appendages thereof the accent of flavor to the sealededges.

Another benefit to the diamond shape is that sufficient paste isavailable to fold over and cover any size of tablet or capsule, or evenmultiple doses or pills. Nevertheless, the layer 16 need not beparticularly thick, because it is formed to be flexible and supported bythe film 14. Unlike prior art systems, it need not ever be freestanding. Thus, it may actually be molded further after being wrappedover the medicament and sealed. Thus, there is sufficient formablematerial 16, such as a paste or flexible layer 16 yet no need for wasteas the thickness and width 34 are predetermined and preformed duringmanufacture.

It is contemplated that at least two sizes, for larger animals, such aslarge dogs, and for smaller animals such as cats or small dogs may befabricated. Various ingredients may be selected to render the wrappers20 flexible and sufficiently strong. Organic ingredients may, includemeals, grains, meats, oils, vegetable matter or the like. Freedom fromundesirable or undesired materials may be provided in the composition ofthe formable layer 16. Typically, an oil will be selected that willabsorb into the solid materials of the formable layer 16, hold theshape, sustain the flavor, and provide ready distribution of the aromathereof.

In the illustrated embodiments, the presentation of the product 10 isflat. Likewise, it is intended to correspond with the course oftreatment by count, and size of the commonly available prescriptions. Ithas been found that the flat configuration of the wrapper 20 makes iteasily manipulatable through the film 14. It creates a sufficiently thinlayer to be flexible, and readily foldable and moldable around themedicament 50 contained therein.

Specifically, the wrappers 20 are not preformed in some container likeconfiguration. They are not left to be freely contacting one another.They need not be dug out from some bulk container. There is no reachinginto a bag and receiving a thorough slathering of grease or oil onhands, knuckles, and fingers while one seeks to select and withdraw asingle dose of a wrapper 20. By using the cards 12 or other substrates12, a sealing container 56 or bag 56 allows the card 12 to be drawn outand replaced repeatedly.

Meanwhile, with the substrate 12 withdrawn from the bag 56, the wrappers20 may be individually served with a dose of the medicament 50 andfolded over to seal it. The only contact a pet owner need have with thewrapper 20 is to draw it, in its folded configuration containing amedicament 50, away from the film 14 and deliver it to the animal. Theedges of the plastic film 14, illustrated in various configurations maybe drawn over a specific wrapper 20 in order to contain the pill,tablet, and capsule, on the target area 18 or accent region 18, followedby sealing of the edges of the triangle.

A significant benefit is that only one hand is required to place amedicament on the formable layer 16, a specific wrapper 20. That handneed never touch the closed wrapper 20 or the wrapper 20 in the closedconfiguration. The film 14 prevents transfer of any residue of themedicament 50 onto the outer surface of the wrapper 20. Even if the handthat touched the medicament 50 is the same one that folds over thewrapper 20 and seals it, it is still separated by the film 14 from theformable layer 16.

Meanwhile, the other hand may be used to stabilize the substrate 12 orhold it in place while manipulating each wrapper 20. In turn, the otherhand may then be used to remove the wrapper 20 in its foldedconfiguration from the film 14 and administer it to a pet. The effect ofthis approach is that there need be no residue of the medicament 50 onthe outside surface of a wrapper 20 in its closed configuration to bedetected and thus refused by a pet.

Thus, the smell, flavor, size, texture, and so forth of each wrapper 20in the closed configuration represents a treat to the pet, and isreadily accepted and swallowed. Meanwhile, work surfaces remain clean,the folding process is supported, and the medicament is separated at alltimes from the outer surface of the wrapper 20 as administered, and soforth.

In some embodiments, the substrate 12 may be formed of paper, acomparatively stiff paper, fiber board or cardboard, even a corrugatedcardboard. If deemed desirable, the substrate 12 may be coated with afood grade plastic film that does not separate therefrom. This may beapplied as a coating, a lamination, a spray, a cured polymer, applied asa liquid and bonded by heat or reaction, or the like.

The configurations illustrated benefit from a substrate 12 that issufficiently stiff that will not bend in the package nor in use.Meanwhile, the rectangular format provides left, right, forward and rearedges that provide alignment for the diagonal across each of thediamond-shaped wrappers 20. Thus, even if pressure is supplied or isapplied to the film with fingers under the substrate 12 and fingers onthe folded film 14, the substrate 12 may be sufficiently stiff tosupport the loads. A surface or hand can be used to back up thesubstrate 12.

The various configurations provide for lifting and folding the film 14in order to fold each individual wrapper 20. The various cut lines 22,38, as well as gaps 40 provide manipulation of individual wrappers 20without any influence on neighboring wrappers 20. The arrangement ofcertain configurations, such as that of FIG. 1, permits separation oftwo different strips of wrappers 20, in each of which the arrangement ofthe wrappers 20 is such as to only involve one wrapper 20 at a time inits own folding, with no influence on adjacent wrappers 20.

The system 10 in accordance with the invention provides a measuringsystem for identifying the day, week, or regimen. Likewise, every doseis identified in advance and determinable by a user at a glance. Anyabsent wrapper 20 at a given location indicates the dose as beenadministered.

In contrast other products include a bag full of treats or a tub of apaste. The cohesion of the edible material 16 disrupts and destroys acertain amount of the product. Meanwhile, two hands become required toseparate a single wrapper 20. Structural integrity is often poor, andthe vagaries of humidity and temperature often cause groups of discretepieces to bond together sufficiently thoroughly that they cannot beseparated without damage or waste. By the same token, such bulkconfigurations as bags of treats formed to receive pills provide nomeasurement device, no tracking, no reminder, and, in some instances,colossal waste.

In certain embodiments, one will note that adjacent rows provide for amorning application and an evening application. Thus, one may tell whichside, left or right, or top or bottom of a substrate 12 is the morningrow and which is the afternoon or evening row. Thus, one may tellwhether a specific dose was missed on a specific day, and at a specifictime.

Although the “Argyle” pattern may have additional cuts placed in it,each row on the adjacent sides of the cut line 22 may be for a differenttime of day. For example, the upper, top, or right side of the substrate12 may have the morning dose, while the opposite side on the other sideof the cut line 22 carries the evening dose. Thus, the array on eachportion of the film 14 on opposite sides of the cut line 22 represents atime of day and a day. For example, FIG. 1 shows the morning dose and anevening dose for a course of seven days. A course of ten days for aconventional antibiotic may also be configured in this way.

It has been found that the diamond shape provides symmetry to assureproper coverage of the pill or multiple pills placed on the accentregion 18. Meanwhile, the oil content provides freshness of aroma andthe absorption of the flavors compounded into the formable layer 16. Theformable layer 16 may be formed in place, or extruded as a layer that iscut and dropped onto the film 14. It is contemplated that the sameingredients greens and coloring may be used for various flavors of theformable layer 16. The flavor burst 18 or accent region 18 may providefor the distinctive flavor of each type. Thus, a suitable flavor such asfish, peanut butter, cheese, vegetable, beef, chicken, or the like maybe represented by the accent region 18, while the edible 16 or theformable layer 16 remains the same from type to type.

Of course the accent region 18 serves several purposes, including colorcoding for the flavoring, placement template for the medicament 50, andits chemical burst of flavor, aroma, or both. If the accent region 18 ordot 18 illustrated rises above the top surface of the formable layer 16,then the medicament 50 will tend to compress into it. This may displacea certain amount of it through the formable layer 16, or into theformable layer 16, thus making it more accessible from the outersurface. However, this also further masks and prevents the flavor orsmell of the medicament 50 from transferring to a location on theoutside surface of the wrapper 20 in the folded configuration.

Referring to FIG. 15, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 18, in one alternative embodiment of a wrapper 20 in accordancewith the invention, wrappers 20 may be individually “foiled” inisolation from one another. For example, a cover 60 such as a twist wrap60 may be embodied in a plastic film, foil, paper, treated paper, orsome combination thereof.

For example, covers 60 may include aluminum foil adhered to cellophaneor other plastic (polymeric) film. In other embodiments, foil may adhereto paper. In other embodiments, paper may be treated with paraffin orother treatment to improve its durability, sealing ability, or the likeLikewise, the cover 60 or foil 60 may literally be aluminum foil or thelike. In general, one presently contemplated embodiment that providesmany benefits is a twist wrap 60 or twist wrapper 60 of any suitablesheet material such as may be used for packaging individual servings ofcandies.

Herein, the cover 60 may typically be referred to as a foil 60.Meanwhile, the process of covering with a cover 60 will be calledfoiling. This is to distinguish the cover 60 or foil 60 from the wrapper20 which forms the medicine-hiding product 10 already describedhereinabove as a wrapper 20. Thus, regardless of the type of a cover 60,it may be properly referred to as a foil 60 or twist wrap 60.

Moreover, the cover 60 may actually be applied by different mechanisms.For example, the food processing industry has developed substantialautomation, a variety of packing materials, and the machinery forhandling them. To this extent, such may be adapted for use with thewrapper 20. However, this is not a simple matter.

For example, the animal feed industry as well as the veterinary medicineindustry have not typically been driven by the same requirements, needs,technologies, and processes. Therefore, individually wrapped treats forpets are not found on the shelves of pet stores and veterinaryestablishments. Rather, large numbers of articles are simplyconsolidated in a single bag, box, or plastic jar together. Accordingly,the materials 16 or edible materials 16 to be used as the principlecomponent of the wrappers 20 will have their own difficulties.

For example, sugar provides a binding quality to many foods, includingcandy, medicines, and the like for human consumption. Sugar is not arecommended food constituent for animals. Thus, the material 16 forminga wrapper 20 to be wrapped about a medicament 50 must use differentmaterials, and will necessarily have a different consistency, mechanicalproperties, and associated manufacturing processes.

In one currently contemplated embodiment, a bag 62 or other container 62may include individual pieces 61 of a product 10. The product 10 may bevisible as individually wrapped servings 61 of the wrappers 20 in foils60 or twist wraps 60. The container 62 may typically include a windowedportion 64 through which the individual foils 60 with their content 20may be seen.

The container 62, such as a bag 62, may also include a labeling portion66. For example, a seal 67 may provide a re-closable container 62 onwhich a trademark 68 and a description 69 of the product 10 may beimprinted. Other images, colors, and the like to create a pleasantpackage 62 may be printed on the container 62.

In a first use, the bag 62 or other container 62 may be cut open, orotherwise unsealed. Zipper-type locking mechanisms may seal plastic bags62. Accordingly, the sealed bag 62 forms an initial seal preventing theescape of the aroma of the wrappers 20 within their covers 60. The bag62 may be provided at manufacturing. Thus, an upper edge of the bag 62may be cut open, thereby allowing access to the product 10 inside, withre-sealing by the use of a seal 67, such as a zipper-type seal 67.

An isolated one of the wrappers 20 may be removed in its cover 60 fromthe bag 62. Within the cover 60 or foil 60 the actual material 16 of anindividual wrapper 20 may have a molded shape that serves as afunctional element of the wrapper 20. For example, the various wrappers20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e, 20 f, 20 g, and 20 h are various exampleembodiments contemplated.

For example, the shape of the wrapper 20 a is somewhat flat andelongated. It may be rectangular or may have rounded corners. In otherembodiments, the wrapper 20 a may be somewhat elliptical or otherwiserounded yet elongated. Similarly, various wrappers 20 may includeaccents 18 or flavor bursts 18 embedded therein or added thereto. Thus,the edible material 16 or the principal material 16 may be treated witha flavor burst 18 or accent 18.

This accent flavor 18 may be positioned to be on the inside or outsidesurface of the wrapper 20 once a medicament 50 has been added thereto.Each provides a different benefit. For example, some embodiments, aflavor burst 18 or accent 18 may be directly against the medicament 50,in order to further mask the medicament 50 at its location. In fact, theaccent 18 may actually coat somewhat a medicament 50, thereby furthermasking directly any taste of a medicine 50.

Other shapes may include a cylindrical shape of the wrapper 20 b. Inthis example, the cylinder 20 b is actually somewhat elongated in itsaspect ratio in that the length thereof is greater than the diameterthereof. In an alternative embodiment, the wrapper 20 c has an aspectration of length to diameter of less than one. That is, the height ofthe drum-like wrapper 20 c is less than the diameter thereof.

Similarly, the disc wrapper 20 d has an aspect ration of length todiameter much less than one. This wrapper 20 d is substantially flat andmay be circular as illustrated, or may take on one of the other shapesillustrated hereinabove.

Again, any particular wrapper 20 may or may not include a flavor burst18. Thus, one may assume a particular accent 18 applied in a convenientlocation inside or outside or on the inside surface or outside surfaceof a wrapper 20 in use.

In one alternative embodiment, a wrapper 20 e may have a flavor burst 18or accent 18 inside the opening 71 or on a lower surface 72. In theperspective view shown, such an accent 18 is not visible. However, itwill appear much as those of the wrappers 20 a and 20 d. In thisembodiment, the wrapper 20 is shaped as a frustum of a cone. It has afloor, forming the bottom surface 72, but an opening 71 providing alocation to receive a medicament 50.

Yet another embodiment may be a simple sphere as the wrapper 20 f. Insuch an embodiment, an accent flavor 18 may simply be injected into amold with the principal edible material 16. Thus, the accent 18 maysimply be a chimerical shape or result in a chimerical shape as a resultof filling a mold. Any of the illustrated shapes, may have an aspectratio of height to diameter or height to effective diameter (hydraulicdiameter is an “effective diameter,” defined as four times the areadivided by the wetted perimeter in the engineering art) greater orlesser than one.

Similarly, the example of cross-sectional shapes does not preclude cubes20 g or other cross-sectional areas. One advantage of regular shapes isthe ease of manufacturing tooling. For example, the shape 20 a, if thethickness is sufficiently large, may be manufactured by extruding.Meanwhile, the wrappers 20 b, 20 c, and 20 g may all be extruded througha die as a straightforward cross section, even including the flavorburst 18 being extruded therewith.

An extruder, well understood in the engineering art, may express across-sectional shape axially along a central axis 74 of a particularshape of wrapper 20. Accordingly, a diameter 76 or effective diameter 76may be defined thereby as an effective diameter 76 of the planar surface72 perpendicular to the axis 74. In the illustrated embodiments, theshape of the planar surface 72 of any of these cross sections may beformed by a knife or other cutter automatically cutting into lengths theextruding cross-section shape.

Shapes like the disc wrapper 20 d may also be extruded. However, othermethods of molding, including platens, presses, and rollers may bebetter modes for manufacture.

Similarly, the shape of the frustum wrapper 20 e as well as thespherical wrapper 20 f may best be formed by a conventional“two-piece-cavity” mold. Various molding techniques exist and may beused for such shapes. One will note also that any of the shapes 20 athrough 20 h may be formed in multiple layers as illustrated by examplein the morsel 20 f. Outer coatings may be of a similar material 16, amore firm coating, a flavoring agent, a containment agent, a sealant, amore moldable material 16 than the base material 16, or the like.

Likewise, a perfect cube, or any other rectangular parallelepiped 20 g,may be formed by direct molding in a “two-piece” cavity, or byextrusion, and so forth.

The wrapper 20 is then foiled in a cover 60 or foil 60 as discussedhereinabove. One very suitable embodiment is a twist wrap 60 in whicheach of the ends is twisted to provide a neck portion 75 at which theoverall foil 60 has been twisted into a very compact configuration.Meanwhile, the twisting of the neck 75 necessarily results in a flare 77at the extremity or extreme edges of the foil 60.

The overall width 78 of a foil 60 will typically be something over threetimes the effective diameter of a particular wrapper 20. Likewise, thelength 79 of a foil 60 needs to be of similar extent. Typically, a goodand effective foil 60 should be on the order of about three and a halfeffective diameters of the individual wrapper 20 being covered. Thisprovides for overlap since the circumference of a circle is pi times thediameter. More than three times the diameter is required for completecoverage around the circumference of a wrapper 20.

In order to provide for manipulation by a pet owner, without having tomake direct contact with the wrapper 20, a foil 60 or cover 60 is moreeffective if it has a width of about three and a half effectivediameters of the wrapper 20. Again, here, the wrapper 20 refers to thematerial 16 formed in a shape for handling. It is designed ultimatelyfor receiving a medicine dose embedded therein and wrapped around by thewrapper 20. Meanwhile, wrapping the wrapper 20 requires another cover60, defined herein as a twist wrap 60 or a foil 60, regardless of itsmaterial.

An individual wrapper 20, closed up in its foil 60, may be extractedfrom a bag 62 or other container 62 by a pet owner, and unwrapped asillustrated. The foil 60 may be open, unwrapped, but need not becompletely opened. The objective is to expose the wrapper 20 of thesuitable edible material 16 contained therein and embed therein amedicament 50. For example, a capsule 50 a, such as a gelatin capsule 50a containing an effective ingredient, a tablet 50 b, or some other pill50 c of some other shape and some other material, or both may beprescribed by a veterinarian.

The process for using the wrappers 20 continues by placing a medicament50 or other medical preparation 50 on a wrapper 20. The geometry of thewrapper 20 will typically suggest to a pet owner a configuration andprocesses for forming the wrapper 20 to embed therein the medicine 50.

For example, the wrapper 20 a, being somewhat flat with a comparativelysmall aspect ratio of thickness to diameter may quite simply be wrappedaround a capsule or tablet. Similarly, the disc-like wrapper 20 d may besimilarly employed. In contrast, the more bulky configurations, such asthe cylinder 20 b or bar 20 b, the drum 20 c, the frustum 20 e, thesphere 20 f, and the cube 20 g or other parallelepiped 20 g may bestserve by being kneaded or pressed. Being somewhat malleable they mayreceive a medicine capsule 50 a, tablet 50 b, or other pill 50 cdepressed directly thereinto.

The wrapper 20 h may be similar to that of example 20 f. However, a“stick” 106 may provide a handle 106 for grasping, as well as forming anaperture within the treat material 16 (composition 16). The stick 106may assist in wrapping, as well as in manipulating the wrapper 20 h. Forexample, the stick 106 may be used to force a medicament 50 into theaperture remaining upon its removal from the material 16.

Ultimately, a thumb and forefinger, or thumb and any opposing finger,may compress and deform the wrapper 20 around the medicament 50. Theresult will typically be a joinder 77 or seam 77 wherein the material 16of a wrapper 20 has been deformed around the treatment 50 (e.g., capsule50 a, tablet 50 b, other form of pill 50 c or the like) sealing ittherein.

One may think of the various steps starting with extracting 65 a afoiled pill wrapper 20 from a container 62. The wrapper 20 waspreviously foiled 65 b meaning wrapped 65 b, or twist wrapped 65 b at afactory and placed in the foil 60 as defined hereinabove. A user thenunwraps 65 c, unfoils 65 c, or otherwise exposes 65 c the wrapper 20 forembedding 65 d the medicament 50 therein.

Again, all the medicaments 50 may be referred to as a pill 50 regardlessof their configuration. In fact, various other formulations or formatsmay include powders, liquids, granules, or the like. Ultimately, thewrapper 20 may then be delivered to a pet. A pet owner need not eventouch the wrapper 20 at any time or any point. Rather, the cover 60 orfoil 60 has provided sufficient area to protect the fingers and worksurfaces against having to manipulate the wrapper 20 by direct contact.

In certain embodiments, a user may prepare a wrapper 20 in advance byre-foiling 65 e, re-wrapping 65 e, the treat wrapper 20 or pill wrapper20 into its foil 60. Accordingly, a user can prepare several of thewrappers 20 in their foils 60 and drop them into a handbag or othercontainer, such as a bag, glove compartment, console of a car, or thelike, for later use. Thus, a user need not carry about the entire bag62.

In that regard, the quantity of product 10 within a bag 62 may vary.Often, medicines provided to pets are indefinite in their extent. Thatis, older animals may have chronic conditions that requireadministration of pills 50 or other medicaments 50 on an ongoing basis,with no foreseeable end in sight. In some embodiments, the bag 62 mayhave a content of product 10 constituting some large number to be usedover some extended period off and on as required. Thus, a supply of theproduct 10 is in the bag 62, and may be stored on a shelf, or in arefrigerator until some future time of need or between periodic times ofneed.

On the other hand, certain treatments may be periodic and run for aperiod of days only. Other medicines 50 may be administered for a periodof several days or sometimes a week or two. It is well known thatcertain penicillin products run a course of about ten days, which timeperiod is not to be shortened. Thus, a bag 62 may have a content sizedor numbered to fit a particular standard regimen of three days, a week,two weeks, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 18, a process 80 or method 80 for creating and providingwrappers 20 in accordance with the invention may involve selecting 81 aformat. For example, the various embodiments 20 a through 20 gillustrate various formats that may be selected 81. Meanwhile, selecting82 a size may be an option of a pet owner. It is more often theselection of a particular manufacturer servicing the needs of aparticular animal of a particular size.

For example, the product 10 may be provided to a horse or other equineanimal, or a bovine. Meanwhile, cats, large dogs, small dogs, and thelike may receive a product selected 82 for a size appropriate to theanimal. Cats and dogs, in particular, are particularly susceptible toadministration of medicine 50 by a wrapper 20 in accordance with theinvention, due to their tendency to gulp rather than chew morsels offood.

Selecting 83 a principal material 16 may involve its own entire processcompounding ingredients to provide the taste, texture, adhesive quality,moldability, durability over time, and resistance to oxidation, melting,deforming, or other degradation. Thus, selecting 83 a material 16 may bea substantial process in and of itself.

Selecting 84 an accent 18 or flavor burst 18 may include the option ofselecting 84 no accent 18. Selecting 84 an accent 18 may also includeselecting a location and a mechanism for placing the accent 18 at thatlocation. For example, an accent 18 may be on an outside surface 72 of awrapper 20, opposite the pill 50. Alternatively, an accent 18 may be onan inside surface 72 in contact with a pill 50.

Selecting 85 molding tooling involves several additional steps includingthe molding technique. For example, casting, modestly pressurizedmolding, high-pressure injection molding, open molding, pouring, coolingto set a hot poured material 16, extruding, rolling, pressing, and thelike may be considered as molding techniques. Accordingly, selecting 85the molding tooling includes selecting the technique, the mold itself,and all the supporting machinery necessary to operate the mold.

For example, some mechanism for feeding, such as an auger, mill, mixer,extruder, or the like may be required. Other handling mechanisms such astrays, spouts, pipes, and the like may be needed to deliver the material16 to a mold, while also providing for extraction of the wrapper 20 fromthe mold.

Processing 86 the materials 16 may involve many of the equipment piecesand steps alluded to hereinabove. For example, mixing, grinding,pressing, kneading, pulverizing, cooking, curing, or the like may applyto the processing 86. Typically, the processing 86 should result in astable shape of wrapper 20 that may then be foiled in a twist wrapper60. Packaging 87 the pieces may involve manual or automated enclosure 87of each individual wrapper 20 within a cover 60 or foil 60.

The individual pieces 61 may then be placed inside a container 60 bypackaging 88 a quantity thereof preselected according to some criterion.For example, a course of treatment of two weeks, with a medicament 50administered twice a day would require about 28 instances of the product10 if none is lost or wasted.

Handling 89 may involve storage at several locations and at severaldifferent times, transportation between factories and distributionpoints, and the like Likewise, handling 89 may involve wholesaledistribution, retail distribution, and the like. Thus, the product 10must eventually leave the factory where it is manufactured to be placedin a storage location, and ultimately on a shelf or hanger at a retailestablishment, veterinary clinic, or the like.

The product may then be distributed to a pet owner according to arecommendation by a veterinary professional, selection by a user, or thelike. Of course, to apply 90 a wrapper 20 to its ultimate end, it mustenclose a pill 50 or other medicament 50 during administration thereofto a pet, an animal who may be reluctant to accept the taste of such amedicament 50.

Referring to FIG. 17, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 18, a process 90 of applying 90 wrappers 20 or a single wrapper20 may involve selecting 91 a quantity. Quantity may be based on aregimen or the like, including convenience or other criteria, as well asa flavor of the material 16. Selecting 91 may also include selecting 91a particular size, texture, or other properties of the product 10.

Accessing 92 may involve unsealing, cutting open, or otherwise makingavailable a wrapper 20 within a container 62 in which it has beendistributed. Extracting the covered wrapper 20 is a necessity and mayinclude other activities. Typically, the container 62 will be re-sealed93 both in order to preserve freshness of the contained product 10, aswell as keeping each of the wrappers 20 together in a single place.

Typically, a pet owner or user will unfoil 94 or unwrap 94 the enclosingcover 60. This creates an opportunity. Typically, unfoiling 94 may noise95 to a pet an effective alert. Pavlov demonstrated decades ago theability of an animal to anticipate a treat, such as food or the like,and associate it with various stimuli.

The unfoiling 94 will noise abroad throughout a house the crinkly soundof foil 60 of paper, cellophane, aluminum foil, or whatever material thecover 60 is formed of. This will typically bring the pet to the owner inanticipation of receiving the wrapper 20 as a treat. The user or petowner may then expose 96 the wrapper 20 by unwrapping 65 c.

A question or test 97 at this point is whether or not the pill 50 haspreviously been embedded in the wrapper 20. If not, then the pet ownermay fold 98, press 98, wrap 98 or embed 98 a medicine 50 dose within awrapper 20. Embedding 98 typically involves deforming an individualpiece 61 of the material 16. Forming a wrapper 20 appropriately mayrequire deforming, molding, mashing, folding, rolling, or the like asneeded to embed 98 the medicament 50 into the wrapper 20.

The test 99 determines whether the wrapper 20 in its new shape, whichwill be misshapen from the original shape (see, e.g., FIG. 15 formatsfor configurations) is to be re-foiled for later administration. Here,re-foiling 101 is typically undertaken if a pet owner desires to preparein advance several wrappers 20 containing appropriate pills 50 ormedicine doses 50 to take along during a day or some other period oftime.

For example, a pet owner may simply drop a bottle or bag of pills 50into a plastic or other container along with several of the pieces 61including fully wrapped 98 wrappers 20 in their covers 60 or foils 60. Auser may prepare in advance the wrapper 20 as a treat to be administeredimmediately, or may plan on embedding 65 d a pill 50 in a wrapper 20 atthe time of administration or delivery 100 to the pet. Either works.

However, if the test 99 results in a positive outcome, then re-foiling101 occurs. The enclosure 60 or foil 60 is re-closed about the nowdeformed, pill 50-containing wrapper 20. Resulting storage 102 of thepill 50 in the wrapper 20 in the foil 60 may lead to a pocket, purse,handbag, glove box, console, or other convenient location. The test 103reflects the waiting for time to expire until the next dose of amedicine 50 is to be administered. Until the time has expired, anegative response to the test 103 indicates continued storage 102 of thefoiled wrapper 20 containing its medicine 50. When time is expired, thenthe test 103 indicates un-foiling 94 the enclosure 60 or foil 60 withits consequent noising 95 of a signal or alert to the pet. The process90 then continues.

One will note that if a pill 50 has already been embedded 65 d, 98 in awrapper 20 and re-foiled 101, then the test 97 results in a positiveoutput. Delivering 100 the wrapper 20 as a treat 20 to the pet isaccomplished forthwith. Thereafter, subsequent steps on all four mayinclude such things as repeating the process 90, repeating a portion ofthe process 90, or moving on.

One may see that the use of a supply, such as a bag 62 of pieces 61 inaccordance with the invention may be different from the use of anindividual piece 61 or a few pieces 61 carried in a pocket, purse,handbag, or the like. Thus, a composition and method in accordance withthe invention necessarily provide certain flexibility and conveniencefor a pet owner.

For example, if a course of treatment is typically two weeks, and adosage is typically applied twice a day, then a bag 62 should containabout 28 pieces 61. Each piece 61 is completely isolated from thecontent of every other piece 61. Thus, the tacky, moldable, deformable,somewhat amorphous distortion of a wrapper 20 that is necessary for itseffective use does not result in the pieces 61 sticking together in thebag 62.

Outside of some slight amount of aroma that may emanate from thesurfaces of the wrapper 20, the individual pieces 61 or the wrappers 20within the individual enclosure 60 are mechanically and chemicallyisolated from one another. Nevertheless, a piece 61 may be dropped,lost, wasted, or the like. Accordingly, a couple of extras may result ina bag 62 containing about 30 pieces 61 in one tailored configurationsuitable for accompanying delivery of a two week regimen of treatments50 for a pet. Other quantities may be suitable.

When drawing a piece 61 from a bag 62 or other container 62, certaincovers 60, such as cellophane make a very distinctive noise. Similarly,aluminum foil makes a distinctive noise. Thus, the cover 60 or foil 60may actually make a recognizable sound noising 95 to a pet an alert orwarning, which is typically a pleasant sound. However, upon untwistingof the neck 75 by grasping the flare 77 on a cover 60, a plastic cover60 such as cellophane will definitely make a substantial, audible,recognizable sound. A pet will typically recognize that sound as apromise giving a rise to an expectation of a treat.

Moreover, the material 16 is typically chosen to have an oil base forsupporting or containing a flavor constituent. In addition, certainsolid constituents may be comminuted or otherwise pulverized into apowder, granule, or the like. These can be combined with binders andcompounded into a dough-like consistency. The material 16 resulting ismoldable in a factory as well as by the fingertips of a user.

A palm of one hand may be used to hold the cover 20 after unwrapping 65c while the fingers of an opposite hand are used for manipulating 65 dor forming 65 d the wrapper 20 around the medicine 50 to beadministered. Typically, the cover 60 has a function, among others, ofreducing aromas. That reduction exists for at least two purposes. One isto not make the entire surrounding area smell like dog treats. Anotheris to preserve the flavors and aromas within the wrappers 20 until theyare actually put in use.

One will note that the dimensions 78, 79 of a cover 60 provide workspace literally within the cover 60 or on the cover 60. This is in orderto place the medicine 50 in the wrapper 20, without transferring any ofthe smell, oil, or other content of the wrapper 20 onto a countertop, ahand, or whatever other work surface may be employed.

Similarly, a user may use the cover 60 in order to manipulate thewrapper 20, molding it 65 d, shaping it 65 d, or otherwise manipulating65 d the material 16 to enclose the medicine 50. Thus, fingers, hands,countertops, tables, and the like may be kept clean with no residue ofthe material 16 or composition 16 left behind.

Another benefit of a composition and method in accordance with theinvention is that fingers touch the pill 50 to place it on the wrapper20. Subsequent, direct-contact manipulation 65 d may transfer traceamounts of the medicine 50 from those fingers to the outside surface ofthe wrapper 20. Thus, using the foil 60 as a holder 60, prevents thatcontamination. Since the fingers do not then contact the wrapper 20, butrather contact the cover 60, during the manipulation 65 d, no residue ofthe pill 50 is left by the fingers. Typically medicine 50 in pills has abitter or other distinctive taste. If it is spread on the outsidesurface of the wrapper 20 it is often detected and rejected by pets.

Thereafter, delivery 100 to the pet, or re-foiling 101 and storing 102in a purse or bag may occur without the worry of oils, aromas, crumbs,particles, and the like being left behind.

In certain embodiments, the wrapper 20 may actually be formed of a thickpaste 16 or a thixotropic material 16. Thixotropic material 16 and“Bingham plastics” may be compounded to support their own weight, andeven some substantial amount of weight, yet distort and conform topressure from hands, molding equipment, and the like. Thus, the material16 may be extruded, rolled, pressed, poured, molded, stamped, or thelike.

The idea of a twist wrap 60 of a suitable material to receive labelingmay assist in recognition of products, by brand, product style, flavor,and the like. For example, color coding of different flavors may be apart of printing of a cover 60. Meanwhile, enclosure by the cover 60around a wrapper 20 extends shelf life, and prevents aromas fromescaping that may be pleasant to a pet but less so to a human.

Convenience, storage, the ability to carry, the ability to administer,while continuing to maintain clean hands, clean counters, tables, andother work surfaces, as well as a clean purse or handbag provideconsiderable flexibility in how and when a pet owner may administer 100a medicine 50 in a wrapper 20 to a pet needful thereof.

Thus, sizes are optional, shapes are optional, the automation of thetwist wrap 60 may be done by conventional manufacturing methods or newlydeveloped methods. All the while, “foils” 60 protect the properties ofthe material 16, keeping individual pieces 61 from sticking together,and keeping and preventing the material 16 from sticking to the innersurface of a bag 62 or other container 62.

This last concept is significant. Typically, materials that haveresidues, such as oils, result in the inside surface of a container 62picking up and spreading out the oil content. In a method andcomposition in accordance with the invention, the cover 60 isolates eachwrapper 20 from not only of other wrappers 20 as individual pieces 61,but from the surface of the containing bag 62.

Thus, reaching inside the bag does not result in aromatic oil oroffensively odorous oil on the hands, requiring yet another handwashing. Moreover, the flare 77 outside of the neck 75 on each wrappedpiece 61 or each foiled piece 61 makes an easy handle for grabbing oneor several. Thus, they may be easily and cleanly retrieved from theoriginal source bag 62 or container 62 provided by a manufacturerLikewise, pieces 61 may be withdrawn from a pocket, purse, bag,briefcase, backpack, or other place of storage when needed.

Referring to FIG. 18, various machinery, methods, and packagingmaterials may be used for the initial, commercial packaging of themorsels 20 used as wrappers 20 in accordance with the invention. Forexample, although the material 16 is necessarily malleable in order tobe formed around a medicament 50, it may be frozen, cooled, or otherwisefirmed sufficiently to be automatically covered 60 in preparation forfinal packaging in a container 62 for retail distribution.

In the illustrated embodiments, various shapes of covers 60, may beused. In fact, a twist closure 60 may be used, as may other coveringtechniques and materials.

For example, in one embodiment, the cover 60 may be arranged with eitherone or two twist closures 75 (neck 75). Moreover, the cover 60 may bewrapped to be completely formal around the outer surface of the treat 20(wrapper 20). Moreover, a “stick” 106 may extend into the morsel 20,looking like a lollipop. In such an embodiment, the stick 106 assists inmanipulating the medicament 50 and the material 16. In certainembodiments, the stick 106 may form and maintain an opening forreceiving the medicament 50. It may also be used to poke the medicament50 such as a pill 50 or tablet 50 into the aperture from which the stick106 has been removed.

A basic benefit of the cover 60, in addition to maintaining isolation ofeach wrapper 20 in its container 62, is to provide a platform 60 onwhich or within which a pet owner may manipulate the wrapper 20 tocontain and obscure the flavor or a medicament 50. Accordingly,processes and materials must be extended to provide additional size forthe cover 60. Wrapping techniques for candies are typically inadequate.The size of the cover 60 is best operable if it extends completelyaround the wrapper 20 plus an additional half. From about ⅓ to about ⅔of the circumference of the maximum girth of a morsel 20 (wrapper 20)has been deemed appropriate. Other sizes will function, but create moredifficulty in the manipulation if too small, and more difficulty inwrapping, if too large.

For example, a twisted cover 60 may be packaged in the straight forwardmanner as described hereinabove. However, a bar-shaped embodiment, asillustrated above may use a resealable seam 108 on an extended flap 110formed in the cover 60, in order to meet the needs of retail packaging,yet subsequent manipulation space for a pet owner. Such a flap 110 mayprovide an additional 50-100% of area or circumference extent around thegirth (whether or not that girth is maximum or minimum) on a bar-shapedwrapper 20, as illustrated. Likewise, for example, the caramel-typecover 60 of a parallelepiped-shaped wrapper 20 may simply use additionalmaterial, requiring wrapping more like a gift wrap to provide theadditional, working area. Similarly, a lollipop shaped cover 60 may havea single twist 75 around the stick 106, or a double twist 75 around thestick 106 and the opposite side of the wrapper 20. The extra twist 75may be a mechanism for both packaging and providing additional workingsurface area for manipulating the wrapper 20.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its purposes, functions, structures, or operationalcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive.

The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:
 1. A method for medicating an animal, the method comprising: selecting a morsel of edible material, malleable by fingers of a hand by a user, the morsel enclosed in a cover, formed of a material and size remaining substantially intact during manipulation of the morsel to surround a medicament; selecting a medicament; opening the cover; and obscuring at least one of taste and smell of the medicament from detection by deforming the morsel about the medicament to enclose the medicament therein; wherein the deforming occurs in consequence of manual manipulation of the morsel, while covered by the cover, thereby eliminating direct contact between the user and the morsel at all times from the opening the cover to administering the morsel to an animal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the cover is impervious to at least one of water and oil; the cover is formed of a material and size to be selectively openable and closeable with respect to the morsel; and the cover is sized to expose the morsel to deformation by hands of the user while separating the hands of the user, in contact with an outside surface of the cover exclusively, from the morsel, in contact with an inside surface of the cover exclusively.
 3. A method of medicating an animal, the method comprising: providing a wrapper formable as a morsel, having a composition edible by the animal; providing a cover as a sheet having an area effective to enclose the morsel against contact with fingers of a user; uncovering, by the user, the morsel without touching directly the morsel nor residue thereof; placing a medicament on the morsel; and embedding the medicament by deforming the morsel around it, by manual manipulation transferring pressure from the fingers to the morsel through the cover, exclusively.
 4. The method of claim 3 comprising administering the medicament by offering the morsel containing the medicament to the animal, while the fingers remain separated from the morsel by the cover continually.
 5. The method of claim 3, comprising storing the morsel by fully covering the morsel with the cover and later opening the cover before the offering to the animal.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the cover is a sheet having a length and width, each being orders of magnitude larger than a thickness thereof, the area being continuous at all times from an initial enclosure of the morsel, through the deforming and offering.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the cover is formed of a material impervious to at least one of water and oil; and the area is sufficiently large to eliminate contact of the fingers directly with the morsel at all times.
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein the area is sized to completely re-enclose the morsel and medicament after the embedding.
 9. The method of claim 3 the morsel is sized to completely obscure from sight, taste, and smell the medicament after the embedding.
 10. The method of claim 3, wherein the area is sufficient to eliminate any need for any other object to contact the medicament and the morsel.
 11. A method of medicating an animal, the method comprising: selecting a wrapper as a morsel, edible, malleable by pressure applied by fingers, and completely enclosed in a cover having an area sufficient to shield the fingers entirely from contacting directly the morsel at any time; exposing the morsel without the morsel nor its residue contacting the fingers directly; and embedding a medicament completely within the morsel by re-shaping the morsel by the fingers applying pressure through the cover, exclusively.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising re-applying the cover to completely enclose the morsel, containing therewithin the medicament.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising administering the morsel containing the medicament to the animal.
 14. The method of claim 11, comprising offering the morsel, obscuring the medicament against detection, by sight, smell, and taste, to the animal.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the cover is impervious to at least one of water and oil; and the cover has a size and material properties to support deforming the morsel by the fingers without destruction of the cover.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the wrapper is formed as a sheet having an area defined by a width and a length, both of which are orders of magnitude larger than a thickness thereof.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein: the cover is sized to re-wrap the morsel and medicamenet after the re-shaping to store the morsel for later administration to the animal; and the wrapper composition is selected to completely obscure the medicament from sight and smell of the animal.
 18. The method of claim 11, comprising drawing the wrapper from a container holding a plurality of other wrappers, mutually isolated by corresponding other covers having physical properties in common the cover.
 19. The method of claim 18, comprising selecting the container based on contents thereof.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plurality of wrappers contain flavors corresponding to foodstuffs. 